Khao Kho and Phu Thap Boek

Phu Thap Boek

Rising in the western range of the massif this mountain is the highest point of the Phetchabun Mountains. The peak rises 12 km west of Highway 203, between Loei town and Phetchabun town.

The Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park is in the area around the mountain. The park overlaps the borders of further two provinces, Phitsanulok and Phetchabun. Most of the mountain is covered in mixed evergreen forest and there are also some farms on its slopes where the climate conditions favor cabbage farming. The area around the mountain is part of the Luang Prabang montane rain forests ecoregion.

The villager at Phu Thap Boek is the Hmong hill tribe. The migrants come from the northern part of Thailand. They are taken care of by the Phetchabun Hilltribe Development Center. The mountain, originally home of Hmong people's settlements, has been overrun by allegedly illegal resorts and restaurants.[8]

Phu Thap Boek is a high mountain at 1,768 meters above sea level. There is abundant natural and fresh air all year. In the morning, fog and clouds is cover all the top of mountain. Moreover, there are many cabbage farms along the foothills. The mountain in this area are raised from the orogeny of the land in the past, so it chaonged the area at Phetchabun Province from flat plate to became a Sand-Rock mountain. The east and south are the contact areas with Lom Sak district and Khao Kho district. In the north and west are adjacent to Loei Province. During the day, you can see the area below of Lom Kao district and Lom Sak district. At night time, you will see many stars in the sky because the peak is flat.

In the winter, the temperature is quite colder and it will be very cold in December. Summer temperatures average about 20 degree Celsius. In the rainy season, rainfall is quite high and rainy with 70% per a year.

Khao Kho

The name of the district comes from Khao Kho, an emblematic peak of the Phetchabun Mountains, named either after Livistona speciosa, a kind of palm tree, or after the Ceylon oak. Both species are known as kho (Thai: ค้อ) in Thai and are abundant in the area.

Between 1965-1984, this mountainous area was a battleground in the fight between the Thai communist party and the Royal Thai Army. It was established as a minor district (king amphoe) on 21 August 1984, by splitting the two tambon Thung Samo and Khaem Son from Lom Sak District. It was upgraded to a full district on 19 July 1991.

The district is subdivided into seven subdistricts (tambon), which are further subdivided into 72 villages (muban). There are no municipal areas (thesaban) within the district, and five tambon administrative organizations (TAO)

Average distance / From Bangkok city to Khao Kho 416 KM. / 5.45 hour.

Phra Borommathat Chedi Kanchanaphisek

PhraBorommathatChediKanchanaphisekstupa is located on the summit of KhaoKhomountain, next to the WitchamaiPunyaram monastic residence. The stupa is said to contain the sacred relics of the Lord Buddha, brought in from Sri Lanka. The Chedi was constructed by the people of Phetchabun, yet another part of a number of merit-making tributes for the King on the auspicious occasion of the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of His Majesty’s Ascension to the Throne. On important Buddhist occasions such as Makha Puja Day, locals and visitors often conduct religious ceremonies and rites, such as candlelight processions around the temple.

Wat Phra Thad Pha Son Kaew

Wat Phra Thad Pha Son Kaew is located at the hilltop of Thang Daeng Village, Tambol Camp Son with the area of 91 rai. It is founded in 2004 as a Dharmma practice center. Formerly, it was called “Phra Thad Pha Son Kaew Dhamma Center”.

This Dhamma practice center is located amidst the nature with peaceful atmosphere surrounded by high mountains. On the hilltop, there is a cave where many of the Thang Daeng villagers used to see a flying marble in the sky that flies to this cave. The villagers believed it to be the Buddha’s spirit. They believed this place is auspicious and sacred and called it “Pha Son Kaew”.

There are buildings and rooms for Dhamma lecture and also accommodations for Dhamma practitioner. This temple also offers Dhamma courses. People who are interested in joining can register via www.phasornkaew.org.

Apart from serving as a Dhamma practice center, it is also one of the interesting tourist attractions of Petchaboon province. Important places inside the temple include;

1. Phra That Pha Kaew Chedi

On the foundation of the Chedi is used as a storing place for Dhamma doctrines and pictures. It is also used as a place for meditation.

2. Green Jade Sala

It is a square Sala surrounded by big transparent mirrors in order to feel close to the natural atmosphere.

3. Green Jade Buddha Image

It is a Buddha image in the Mara Vichai posture which is the art of Chiangsaen. This Buddha image was carved from jade with the Buddha’s relics inside the head part.

4. White Jade Buddha Image

It is a Buddha image in the sitting posture which is built according to the Kantara art. The head part also contains the Buddha relics.

5. Lan Pho (Bhodhi Courtyard)

This courtyard is full of Bodhi trees which are the spiritual anchor of the Buddhist. The Buddha become enlightened under the Bodhi tree that is why it has been so important and is always involved in the Buddhist ceremony.

Sridit Waterfall

Namtok Si Dit is a large single-tiered waterfall, where water flows throughout the year. The area was once a stronghold of members of the Communist Party of Thailand, who went into hiding in the jungles of Phetchabun. Noteworthy is the nearby waterfall-powered rice mortar, used by CPT members whilst living in the forest.

The waterfall is located at Mu 10 Ban Rom Pho-Rom Sai, TambonNong Mae Na, AmphoeKhaoKho, Phetchabun. To get there, take Highway 2196 to Km. 17 and turn right into Highway 2325 for 10 kilometers then turn right into the waterfall.

B.N. FARM ( RAI B.N. )

Fresh fruits and vegetables direct from fields and orchards are on offer at this farm, also known as “Rai B.N.”, with availability varying according to the season. Visitors can buy broccoli, iceberg lettuce and eggplant, as well as strawberries, lychees, macadamia nuts and more. Also on offer are preserved fruits and vegetables, often baked, candied or made into jams. Decorative plants and flowers, such as Bird of Paradise, torch ginger, and those in the Heliconia family are also available. Visitors can explore the vegetable plots and plant growing and take a walk around the farm.

B.N. Farm is located at Mu 11 Camp Son- Sa Dao Phong Road, Tambon Camp Son, AmphoeKhaoKho, Phetchabun. To get there, from Highway 12, Phitsanulok – LomSak Route, at Km.100 at Ban Camp Son, turn into Highway 2196 for 3 kilometers, where a direction sign for the farm can be seen. Turn right and proceed for another 3 kilometers.

Wat Tha Sung

Wat Tha Sung (another name is Wat Chantharam) is at Mu 2, Tambon Nam Sum. It is an old temple from the Ayutthaya period. It was formerly called “Wat Chan” which is the name of an abbot. Wat Chantharam later was abandoned until 1789 when the monk Luang Pho Yai came here. Villagers asked him to become the abbot of the temple and he renovated it. The first location of the temple was on the bank of Sakae Krang River. The artifact of the place is a pulpit built by Luang Pho Yai that is opposite the temple. More buildings were later added by the monk Phra Ratchaphrom Yan Nen (Luang Pho Ruesi Ling Dam). The new convocation hall is beautiful with an ornately decorated interior. The inner windows and doors have pictures of angels. His Majesty the King presided over a ceremony to officially open the building. Surronding the building is a traditional columned wall. Images of Luang Pho Pan and Luang Pho Yai 3 times the actual size is at the corner of the front wall. Furthermore, the new site has a wide area as well as many pavilions with accommodation for meditation. The main hall is open during 09.00-11.45 hrs. and 14.00-16.00 hrs. daily.

Getting There: From the city, take Road No. 3265 to the ferry at Amphoe Manorom, about 6 kilometres away. Wat Than Sung is on both sides.

Khao Kho Royal Palace

Khao Kho Royal Palace is situated on Khao Ya, Tambol Sadohpong, Amphur Khao Kho and is 1,100 meters high from the mean sea level. It is the King and the Queen’s accommodation during their visit to Amphur Khao Kho or nearby.

Inside the palace, there are buildings connecting in the ring shape, with the courtier’s building connecting with the Royal Palace. The buildings are in a curve with 2 levels. On the higher level, there are 2 rooms which are the bedrooms of the King and the Queen. Downstairs, there are the ballroom, the kitchen, the dining room and the living room.

Moreover, downstairs there are the bedrooms of Queen Srinagarindra, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and Princess Chulabhorn. In front of the palace, there are gardens and flowers planted in a circle with the flag in the middle at the height of 60 meters. This flag was built on the 60th anniversary of the King.

The tourists can ask the authorities for garden touring. There is also trooper’s accommodation which the tourists can stay overnight.

If the tourists travel up to Khao Ya for another 770 meters, they will arrive at the military base once used to fight with the communist. The tourists can view the panorama view at Sala Phra Thep, which is 1305 meters high from the mean sea level. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn once came here.

The route up to Khao Kho Royal Palace is quite dangerous, therefore a good car is required in order for convenience and safety.